Of all the appliances in your home, a refrigerator is one of the trickiest to move. It’s heavy, awkwardly shaped, and full of delicate internal components, and it needs to be handled correctly, or you risk anything from a dented door to a permanently damaged compressor.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “How do you move a refrigerator without breaking it (or your back)?” you’re in the right place. Whether you’re after a general how-to move a fridge rundown or the finer details of how to transport a fridge safely in a truck or van, this guide walks through the entire process step by step.
If you’d rather not risk it yourself, Ashville Removals offers experienced heavy item movers across Melbourne who handle fridges and other bulky appliances safely as part of every move.
Should You Move a Fridge Yourself?
Before diving into how to move refrigerator appliances on your own, it’s worth being honest about whether you should. Fridges are heavy—most full-size models weigh 60–120 kg—and awkward to grip, which makes them a two-person job at an absolute minimum. If your move involves stairs, tight hallways, or a long-distance trip, the risk of injury or appliance damage goes up significantly, and professional movers with the right equipment become a much safer bet.
If you do have enough capable helpers and a straightforward, single-level move, it’s possible to do it yourself with the right preparation—which is exactly what this guide covers.
What You’ll Need
- Packing tape
- Two (or more) strong helpers
- Moving blankets or furniture pads
- A removal trolley or appliance dolly
- Rope, straps, or bungee cords
How to Move a Fridge, Step by Step
1. Empty and Clean It Out
Remove all food, then give the fridge a proper clean—inside and out. Take out any shelves, drawers, and glass panels and wrap them separately in packing paper or bubble wrap, since these are the parts most likely to crack or shatter in transit.
2. Let It Defrost Fully
Turn the fridge and freezer off at least 24 hours before moving day so everything fully defrosts. Skipping this step means melting ice turning into a mess inside the truck—and extra weight you don’t need to carry.
3. Secure the Doors
Tape the doors shut so they can’t swing open and get damaged or knock into someone while you’re carrying it. If you’re able to, removing the doors entirely (check your manual) can make an awkward fridge significantly easier to maneuver through narrow doorways.
4. Move It Carefully
With at least two people, tilt the fridge onto a trolley or dolly and secure it firmly with straps so it can’t slide while you’re moving. Lift with your knees and legs—never your back—and keep the fridge close to your body for better balance. Clear the path of obstacles beforehand, and measure tight corners or doorways if you’re not sure it’ll fit.
5. Load It the Right Way
Upright is always best. If you genuinely can’t fit the fridge upright into your vehicle, some manufacturers specify a safe way to lay it on its side—check your owner’s manual first, since laying it the wrong way can damage the compressor or coolant lines.
6. Secure It in the Truck
Wrap the fridge in moving blankets to protect it from knocks and scratches, then strap it tightly in place using rope, ratchet straps, or bungee cords. A loose fridge sliding around during transport is one of the most common causes of dents and cracked panels.
7. Let It Settle Before Plugging It In
This is the step almost everyone gets wrong: once your fridge is in its new spot, don’t plug it in straight away. If it travelled upright, give it a few hours to settle. If it was laid on its side at any point, leave it standing and unplugged for 4 to 24 hours—the longer it was tilted, the longer it needs—so the compressor oil can flow back into place before the motor runs again.
8. Do a Final Check
Before switching it on, check that the doors seal properly and nothing was knocked loose in transit. Once you’re satisfied, plug it in and let it run for a few hours before restocking with food.
Common Mistakes When Moving a Fridge
- Plugging it in immediately—running the compressor before the oil has settled can cause lasting damage.
- Not defrosting first—leads to leaks and mess mid-move.
- Carrying it without a dolly—puts unnecessary strain on your back and increases the risk of dropping it.
- Laying it down the wrong way—always check the manufacturer’s guidance before tilting a fridge on its side.
- Leaving the doors unsecured—a swinging door can cause injury or damage to other items in the truck.
When to Call in the Professionals
If your move involves stairs, a long hallway, a long-distance trip, or you simply don’t have enough hands on deck, hiring professional movers is the safer option. It’s also worth it if you’re already booking help for the rest of your furniture removals—moving your fridge alongside everything else means one less heavy, high-risk item for you to manage on the day.
Ashville Removals’ local removalist services include experienced handling of fridges and other bulky appliances and are fully insured, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong. Check our pricing guide for a realistic idea of costs, or get in touch for a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I move a refrigerator without damaging it? Defrost it fully at least 24 hours beforehand, secure the doors, move it upright wherever possible, and let it sit for several hours before plugging it back in. Rushing the settling period is the most common cause of post-move fridge damage.
2. Can you lay a fridge down to transport it? It’s best avoided, but if there’s no other option, check your fridge’s manual for manufacturer-specific guidance on which side is safe to lay it on. If it is laid down, leave it standing upright and unplugged for at least 4–24 hours before turning it back on.
3. How long should a fridge sit before you plug it in after moving? At least a few hours if it stayed upright throughout the move, and up to 24 hours if it was tilted or laid on its side. This gives the compressor oil time to settle back into place.
4. Do you need two people to move a fridge? Yes, at minimum. Fridges typically weigh 60–120 kg and are awkward to balance solo. Two strong people with a dolly or trolley is the safe minimum, and more help is recommended if stairs are involved.
5. Should I hire a professional to move my fridge? If your move involves stairs, a long distance, or limited helpers, yes—professionals have the equipment and experience to move fridges without damage or injury. For a simple, single-level, short-distance move with enough capable helpers, DIY is possible if you follow proper preparation and handling steps.
Need a hand moving your fridge or other heavy appliances? Get a free quote from Ashville Removals and let Melbourne’s experienced removalists take care of the heavy lifting.